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Preston secure Beattie boost

Preston have boosted their survival hopes by signing West Brom striker Craig Beattie on loan until the end of the season.

By Ben Collins

Last Updated: 04/03/08 6:02pm

Preston have boosted their survival hopes by signing West Brom striker Craig Beattie on loan until the end of the season.

Beattie has made just six league starts for West Brom this season, with 45-goal strike trio Kevin Phillips, Roman Bednar and Ishmael Miller leading the Baggies' promotion challenge.

The former Celtic striker has slipped further down the pecking order at the Hawthorns with the loan signing of Luke Moore from Aston Villa, although West Brom have a 24-hour recall option on Beattie after the first 28 days of his loan.

Late winner

Beattie goes straight into Preston's squad for Tuesday night's trip to Leicester, where he scored a late winner as a substitute for West Brom in December.

The 24-year-old Scotland international has scored four goals this season and is the third player to move from the Hawthorns to Deepdale this season following the permanent signings of midfield duo Darren Carter and Richard Chaplow.